How to Choose a Provider for In-Home Care Services

The decision to hire an in-home care provider or move into an assisted living facility can be a big one. Yet, committing to outside help is only the first of many difficult decisions you’ll have to make along the way. What kind of care is needed?

How expensive is it? Are these caretakers qualified enough? All are valid questions in one of life’s most important (and challenging) undertakings. This article will help you choose a qualified provider for in-home care services.

Independent or Agency?

The first decision you may consider is whether to hire an independent caretaker or an agency. Many are tempted by the relatively lower cost of an independent provider, opting to cut out the overhead that adds to the cost of many home health agency services. However, it’s important to consider what that overhead includes.

When you hire an agency, you can rest assured that you or your loved one will have a caretaker available no matter what; an agency screens caretaker candidates and performs background checks that are costly and time-consuming; an agency handles payroll taxes, insurance, and all of the other costs of maintaining an employee. These are tasks that would fall on you if you were to hire an independent caretaker since you serve as the employer.

What Kind of Care?

Choosing a provider also means knowing what you or your loved one are looking for in a care provider. Do you need a skilled nurse who will help you recover from surgery and keep your doctor informed of your condition? Or a home health aide to prepare meals and assist with housekeeping once or twice a week? Or perhaps a therapist to assist with physical, occupational, or speech therapy to recover from a stroke or other condition?

Some agencies will offer all of these services, while others are more limited in the care they provide. Keep in mind that a patient’s care needs could expand over time, so starting with a provider that does it all can save you from searching for a new one later.

Covering the Costs

It’s true that in-home care services can be costly, however they’re often more affordable than nursing facilities, and they offer the added benefit of providing seniors with the independence and higher quality of life that comes from living in the home they already know and love.

Depending on the type of care required and the advice of the patient’s physician, Medicare and other insurance providers may cover some of the costs of in-home care. While quality care doesn’t come cheap, don’t forget that someone’s happiness and well-being are at stake, so go with the best you can afford.

Ready to start your search for the right in-home care services provider? Start by making a list of providers in your area and do your research to find out their rates and services. It’s also a smart idea to ask how they vet their caretakers, how they handle emergency situations, available start date, physician recommendation requirements, and other pertinent information. Good luck in finding your loved one the quality in-home care they deserve.